Petoskey schools welcome new hires

PETOSKEY — The Public Schools of Petoskey’s board of trustees approved the appointment of four new employees during its meeting on Thursday.

Karla Akins will be the new director of teaching and learning for the district. Akins takes over from current director Lynn Slanec, who is retiring at the end of this month.

“I’ve had the good fortune of working with (Akins) for the last year on the MI Excel Statewide Field Team,” said superintendent Chris Parker. “She brings a lot of wealth of information to the position. We’re extremely fortunate to add Karla to our team. I couldn’t be happier.”

Board member Mary Ling, who sat on the interview committee, added that she was “quite impressed” with Akins.

“We’re very excited that you accepted the offer,” Ling said.

Akins most recently worked as a coordinator of professional learning/area leader as part of the MI Excel Statewide Field Team, as well as the assistant superintendent for Hudsonville Public Schools. Within the Hudsonville district, she has also previously served as curriculum coordinator and interim principal.

Jenna Koehler will be a medical occupations teacher at Petoskey High School.

Parker said Koehler was his first interview as the new superintendent of Petoskey schools.

“Incredible resume, great presence,” Parker said. “I think that the kids in the program are going to really flock to you, and I think you’re going to do great things for us in terms of continuing an already great program and growing it even further. I’m really happy to have you join our team as well.”

Mandy Stewart, principal of Petoskey High School, added that Koehler’s enthusiasm for her topic really came through during her interview.

“I think that’s going to carry to the classroom, that energy and the enthusiasm, to the students that we very much need, and hopefully long-term so we can keep that program expanding,” she said.

Koehler most recently worked as pool director for the Harbor Springs Community Pool and in retail at Dave’s Boot Shop. She has also previously worked as an athletic trainer for Northern Michigan Sports Medicine, and has experience as an athletic trainer and teacher at a variety of businesses and schools.

Stephanie Mallory will be a second-grade teacher at Central Elementary School.

Cal Prins, principal of Central Elementary School, said Mallory was previously a student teacher at the school for the third grade.

“I was super impressed with not only the type of person she was but how well she connected with kids and just her passion for teaching,” Prins said.

Mallory most recently worked as a second-grade teacher at Boyne Falls Public School. She has also previously worked as a long-term substitute teacher at Mancelona Elementary School and at Sheridan Elementary School.

Rilla Snedden will be a kindergarten teacher at Sheridan Elementary School.

Mark Oberman, principal of Sheridan Elementary, said Snedden has a “natural connection with the kids, joy of teaching, joy of learning” and went above and beyond as a long-term substitute teacher, including organizing a talent show.

“We’re very excited to welcome Rilla to the staff,” Oberman said. “She’s a Petoskey kid, she’s been through the system and knows the community, and I think that has a lot of value in the position she’s going into. I know our staff and our students and families are very excited to have her join the Sheridan family.”

Snedden most recently was a second-grade student teacher at Sheridan Elementary. She has also previously been a student teacher at Petoskey Montessori and was a long-term substitute teacher at Sheridan Elementary.

Jeremy Stempky will be a math teacher at Petoskey Middle School. His employment was approved at the board’s meeting in June, but Stempky was among the new hires in attendance at Thursday’s meeting.